Trash receptacle for vehicle arm rests

ABSTRACT

A trash receptacle including a bag with an open end and at least a first cord and a second cord. Each cord is attached at two places at the open end of the bag, with first places of attachment of the first cord and the second cord separated by a significantly different distance than second places of attachment of the first cord and the second cord, and with the first cord and the second cord both long enough to loop over an arm rest for a seat of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a receptacle that can be hung from one or two rest arms in a vehicle.

2. Description of the Related Art

Anyone who has traveled a long distance in a van, camper, recreational vehicle, or even car knows that refuse tends to accumulate on a trip. The in-dash or other trash receptacle provided in most vehicles is usually just too small to hold all of the refuse. As a result, the vehicle tends to get messy, lessening any enjoyment of the trip.

One solution to this problem is to keep a plastic bag in the vehicle for refuse. However, plastic bags have a tendency to “slouch” and also to spill.

Another solution is to use a car trash receptacle that includes a hard plastic container with a sand-filled weight attached to its base. The weight is intended to make the container more stable. Even with the weight, however, these containers often tip over, especially during sharp turns.

Yet another solution is to use a trash bag that hangs on the back of one of the seats of the vehicle. However, this arrangement does not provide convenient access for the driver or front seat passenger of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, a need exists for a trash receptacle that does not tip over even during sharp turns and that also provides convenient access for the driver and front seat passenger.

The invention addresses this need with a trash receptacle including a bag with an open end and at least a first cord and a second cord. Each cord is attached at two places at the open end of the bag, for example through grommets placed in a top hem of the bag. First places of attachment of the first cord and the second cord are separated by a significantly different distance than second places of attachment of the first cord and the second cord. This helps the bag to hang open when the cords are looped over one or two arm rests for one or two front seats of a vehicle. When disposed in this manner, the bag is easily accessible to people in the front seats of the vehicle.

Preferably, the open end of the bag has a shape of a rectangle, and the first places of attachment and the second places of attachment are along long sides of the rectangle.

The bag preferably is made of vinyl lined canvas material. The cords can be made from nylon or cotton cord. Alternatively, any other suitably strong, durable, and preferably moisture resistant materials can be used.

In order to simplify production of the trash receptacle, the bag can be made of three pieces of material sewn together. These pieces can include one piece that forms two sides and a bottom of the bag and two pieces that form two other sides of the bag. Bags constructed in other manners can be used.

The invention also encompasses placement and use of such a trash receptacle.

This brief summary has been provided so that the nature of the invention may be understood quickly. A more complete understanding of the invention may be obtained by reference to the following description of the preferred embodiments thereof in connection with the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a trash receptacle for use with vehicle arm rests.

FIG. 2 shows a different arrangement of cords for a trash receptacle.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show trash receptacles in use with vehicle arm rests.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows a trash receptacle for use with vehicle arm rests.

Briefly, a trash receptacle according to an embodiment of the invention includes a bag with an open end and at least a first cord and a second cord. Each cord is attached at two places at the open end of the bag, for example through grommets placed in a top hem of the bag. First places of attachment of the first cord and the second cord are separated by a significantly different distance than second places of attachment of the first cord and the second cord. This helps the bag to hang open when the cords are looped over one or two arm rests for one or two front seats of a vehicle. When disposed in this manner, the bag is easily accessible to people in the front seats of the vehicle.

In more detail, trash receptacle 1 includes bag 2 with open end 3. Also included are first cord 4 and second cord 5. Each cord is attached at two places 6 at the open end of the bag, for example through grommets (shown at places 6) placed in top hem 7 of bag 2. Cords 4 and 5 are long enough to loop over an arm rest for a seat of a vehicle.

In FIG. 1, first places of attachment of first cord 4 and second cord 5 are separated by distance 8. Likewise, second places of attachment of first cord 4 and second cord 5 are separated by distance 9. According to the invention, distance 8 and distance 9 are significantly different. In the context of the invention, “significantly different” means different by at least one inch.

Preferably, open end 3 of bag 2 has a shape of a rectangle, and places of attachment 6 for the cords 4 and 5 are along long sides of the rectangle.

In order to simplify production of trash receptacle 1, bag 2 can be made of three pieces of material sewn together, preferably with seams and turn unders for the sake of neatness and also to improve durability. The pieces can include single piece 10 that forms two sides and a bottom of the bag and two pieces 11 that form two other sides of the bag. In FIG. 1, piece 10 forms the wider sides and bottom of bag 2, but this need not be the case; the single piece can form the narrower sides and bottom of bag 2.

Trash receptacle 1 preferably comes in at least two sizes: a small size and a large size. In one embodiment, the small size receptacle can be constructed from single piece 10 that measures 19⅞″ long by 9¾″ wide and two pieces 11 that measure 9 5/16″ long by 3¾″ wide. The pieces can be sewn together with ⅜″ seams on the sides and bottom and a 1 3/16″ hem at the top (open) end with a ½″ turn under.

In another embodiment, the large size receptacle can be constructed from single piece 10 that measures 23⅜″ long by 14″ wide and two pieces 11 that measure 9 1/16″ long by 4¾″ wide. The pieces can be sewn together with ⅜″ seams on the sides and bottom and a 1 3/16″ hem at the top (open) end with a ½″ turn under.

In these embodiments, grommets for attaching cords to the bags are preferably centered in the top (open end) hem 7 of bag 2. On one side of bag 2, places of attachment 6 (preferably grommets) can be located 3″ in from the narrower sides of the bag. On the opposite side of bag 2, places of attachment 6 (preferably grommets) can be located ¾″ in from the narrower sides of the bag. This results in distances 8 and 9 being significantly different, as shown in FIG. 1.

Cords 4 and 5 can be 17″ long for the smaller bag and 18½″ long for the larger back. Both lengths leave 2″ at each end to knot or otherwise to attach the cords to bag 2 at places of attachment 6. The cords are preferably of a suitable diameter to provide adequate strength, for example ¼″.

The invention is not limited to the foregoing sizes and dimensions, which are provided to specify details of currently contemplated best modes of the invention. Other modes of the invention with different sizes are also contemplated. Furthermore, bags constructed in other manners and cords attached in different ways can be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

The bag preferably is made of vinyl lined canvas material. The cords can be made from nylon or cotton cord. Alternatively, any other suitably strong, durable, and preferably moisture resistant and flexible materials can be used.

FIG. 2 shows a different arrangement of cords for a trash receptacle. Trash receptacle 15 in FIG. 2 is substantially identical to trash receptacle 1 in FIG. 1, except that cords 16 and 17 are crossed. In a preferred form of this embodiment, cords 16 and 17 would be longer than cords 4 and 5 in FIG. 1. Other arrangements of cords, including arrangements involving more than two cords, can be used with the invention.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show trash receptacles in use with vehicle arm rests. In FIG. 3, cords for trash receptacle 20 are looped over arm rest 21 for seat 22 of a vehicle, for example a van, camper, recreational vehicle, or even car. Preferably, a smaller sized bag is used in the arrangement in FIG. 3.

In FIG. 4, trash receptacle 25 is placed between arm rests 26 and 27 of two seats of such a vehicle. Preferably, a larger sized bag is used in the arrangement in FIG. 4.

In both FIGS. 3 and 4, the different spacing of the attachment points for the cords for the trash receptacles help keep the bags properly positioned and open. As a result, the bags are conveniently located and easily accessible for both a driver and a passenger in the vehicle, and the bags are unlikely to slouch or spill over even during sharp turns.

Alternative Embodiments

The invention is in no way limited to the specifics of any particular preferred embodiment disclosed herein. Many variations are possible which remain within the content, scope and spirit of the invention, and these variations would become clear to those skilled in the art after perusal of this application. 

1. A trash receptacle including: a bag with an open end; and at least a first cord and a second cord, each cord attached at two places at the open end of the bag, with first places of attachment of the first cord and the second cord separated by a significantly different distance than second places of attachment of the first cord and the second cord, and with the first cord and the second cord both long enough to loop over an arm rest for a seat of a vehicle.
 2. A trash receptacle as in claim 1, wherein the open end of the bag has a shape of a rectangle.
 3. A trash receptacle as in claim 2, wherein the first places of attachment and the second places of attachment are along long sides of the rectangle.
 4. A trash receptacle as in claim 1, wherein the bag is made of vinyl lined canvas material.
 5. A trash receptacle as in claim 1, wherein the first cord and the second cord are made of nylon or cotton cord.
 6. A trash receptacle as in claim 1, further comprising grommets through which the first cord and the second cord are attached to the bag.
 7. A trash receptacle as in claim 1, wherein the bag is made of three pieces of material including one piece that forms two sides and a bottom of the bag and two pieces that form two other sides of the bag.
 8. A trash receptacle as in claim 7, wherein the pieces are sewn together to form the bag.
 9. A method of providing a trash receptacle in a vehicle including the steps of: taking the trash receptacle into the vehicle, the trash receptacle including a bag with an open end and at least a first cord and a second cord, each cord attached at two places at the open end of the bag, with first places of attachment of the first cord and the second cord separated by a significantly different distance than second places of attachment of the first cord and the second cord, and with the first cord and the second cord both long enough to loop over an arm rest for a seat of the vehicle; and placing the first cord and the second cord over one or two arm rests for one or two front seats of the vehicle so that the bag hangs open and accessible to passengers in the front seats.
 10. A method as in claim 9, wherein the open end of the bag has a shape of a rectangle.
 11. A method as in claim 10, wherein the first places of attachment and the second places of attachment are along long sides of the rectangle.
 12. A method as in claim 9, wherein the bag is made of vinyl lined canvas material.
 13. A method as in claim 9, wherein the first cord and the second cord are made of nylon or cotton cord.
 14. A method as in claim 9, further comprising grommets through which the first cord and the second cord are attached to the bag.
 15. A method as in claim 9, wherein the bag is made of three pieces of material including one piece that forms two sides and a bottom of the bag and two pieces that form two other sides of the bag.
 16. A method as in claim 15, wherein the pieces are sewn together to form the bag. 